If you’ve spent any time on the internet in the last decade, you know the name. You know the "sir." You know the velvet voice singing about being in the room where it happens. But when people ask who played Aaron Burr, they’re usually looking for one specific man: Leslie Odom Jr.
It’s wild to think about now, but before 2015, Aaron Burr was just a footnote in a history textbook—the "villain" who shot Alexander Hamilton in a duel. Then a certain hip-hop musical changed everything. Honestly, the way the role was cast didn't just change Broadway; it changed how we look at American history.
But Leslie Odom Jr. wasn't the only one to step into those boots. From the very first workshops at Vassar to the current global tours in 2026, a surprisingly diverse group of actors has taken on the challenge of playing Hamilton’s "first friend, his enemy."
The Man Who Started It All: Leslie Odom Jr.
Let’s be real. For most fans, Leslie Odom Jr. is Aaron Burr. He didn’t just play the part; he lived in it. He won the 2016 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role, famously beating out Lin-Manuel Miranda himself.
He played Burr as a man of extreme restraint. You’ve seen the Disney+ filmed version, right? The way he clinches his jaw? That wasn't just acting—it was a character choice to show a man literally vibrating with the effort of "waiting for it."
In a surprising twist for 2025 and early 2026, Odom actually returned to the Richard Rodgers Theatre. He did a limited 12-week run from September 2025 through November 2025 to celebrate the show’s 10th anniversary on Broadway. Fans who saw him this second time around noted that his Burr had changed. He was more aggressive, less the "insecure" narrator and more of a confident adversary.
The Actors Who Picked Up the Pistol
Broadway shows are marathons, not sprints. When Odom left in 2016, the show had to find someone who could handle the vocal gymnastics of "The Room Where It Happens" while maintaining that cool, detached exterior.
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Brandon Victor Dixon was the first big name to follow Odom on Broadway. He brought a totally different energy—slicker, maybe a bit more dangerous. You might remember him for the time he addressed Mike Pence from the stage, which turned into a massive news cycle back in the day.
Then you have Daniel Breaker, who played the role for a long stretch. Breaker brought a more comedic, almost sardonic edge to the character. It made the tragedy at the end hit differently because you'd spent two hours laughing with the guy.
The Current Guard (2025-2026)
As of right now, Jin Ha is the man leading the Broadway company as Burr. If that name sounds familiar, it's because he's been a powerhouse in shows like Pachinko and Love Life. He plays the role with a piercing intelligence that makes the political rivalry feel incredibly personal.
The Burr You Never Saw (But Should Know)
Here’s a fun piece of trivia for the superfans. Before the show was a Broadway behemoth, it was a "Mixtape" being workshopped at Vassar College in 2013.
Utkarsh Ambudkar was the actor who played Aaron Burr in those early readings.
Ambudkar is a phenomenal rapper (you might know him from Ghosts on CBS or Pitch Perfect), and his version of Burr was much more focused on the hip-hop flow. While he didn't move with the show to Off-Broadway, his influence on the rhythm of the character is still baked into the score. Lin-Manuel Miranda has often said that the character was written with those specific vocal cadences in mind.
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International Burrs and Tour Standouts
Hamilton is a global brand now. It's in the West End, it's toured Australia, Germany, and the UK.
- Giles Terera: He originated the role in London's West End and won an Olivier Award for it. He brought a regal, heavy weight to the character that felt very "British Theatre" in the best way possible.
- Joshua Henry: Widely considered one of the best "Burrs" to ever do it. He opened the Chicago production and the first US National Tour. His "Wait For It" is legendary for its power.
- Nik Walker: A long-time favorite who played the role on Broadway and on tour. He brought a physical presence to the stage that made the final duel feel genuinely terrifying.
Why Does This Role Matter So Much?
Playing Burr isn't like playing a standard musical theater villain. It’s a "narrator" role. You’re on stage for almost the entire show, often standing in the shadows watching Hamilton succeed.
The actor has to balance two things:
- Being likable enough that the audience wants to follow them through the story.
- Being "villainous" enough to justify the ending.
It’s why actors like Austin Smith, Jared Dixon, and Nicholas Christopher have all found success in the role. They each find a different "why" for Burr’s choices. Some play him as a man driven by grief, others by pure ambition, and some by a simple, tragic misunderstanding of his own worth.
How to See a "Burr" Today
If you're looking to catch a performance now, you have more options than ever.
On Broadway: Jin Ha is currently the primary Aaron Burr at the Richard Rodgers Theatre.
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On Tour: The North American tours (currently the "Philip" and "Angelica" companies) feature rotating talent. Jimmie "JJ" Jeter and Deon'te Goodman have both been highlights recently, often moving between the lead role and standby positions.
On Screen: If you can’t get to a theater, the 2020 film on Disney+ remains the definitive way to see the original cast. It’s basically a masterclass in close-up acting. You can see the literal sweat on Leslie Odom Jr.’s forehead during "The Room Where It Happens," which adds a layer of intensity you just can't get from the back of the balcony.
Your Hamilton Deep-Dive Next Steps
If you've fallen down the rabbit hole of who played Aaron Burr, don't stop at the Broadway cast list. To really appreciate the nuance of the role, try these specific steps:
- Listen to the "Hamilton Instrumentals": Specifically, listen to "Wait For It" without the vocals. You'll hear the ticking clock in the background, which explains why actors play the role with such rhythmic precision.
- Compare the "Room Where It Happens" clips: Watch Leslie Odom Jr.'s version on Disney+, then find the Tony Awards performance. Notice how he changes his movements based on the size of the stage.
- Read "Hamilton: The Revolution": This book (often called the "Hamiltome") has a whole chapter on why Leslie Odom Jr. almost turned the role down. It gives incredible insight into how he and Lin-Manuel Miranda built the character from scratch.
- Check Local Casts: If you are seeing a touring production, look up the actor's social media. Many "Burrs," like Nik Walker, often post "theology" notes about how they interpret the character's motivations.
The role of Aaron Burr is a mantle. Each actor who puts on the coat adds a new layer to the legacy of the "damn fool that shot him." Whether it’s the original elegance of Odom or the modern fire of Jin Ha, the character remains the heartbeat of the show.
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